Geraldine Solon, is an established, successful and well-respected author in the world of women’s fiction writing, although her books do come liberally sprinkled with romance and a deep insight into the enduring power of love.

I’ve always been a firm believer that love conquers all and that every woman’s experience is a story in itself. Life is a never-ending journey and my imagination and experiences have inspired me to write powerful stories. Although my books are fiction, my goal is to offer compelling lessons about life and love. The message I wish to convey to my readers is that despite the many challenges we face in this world, we must have hope and faith. Overall, it is love that binds us together. I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoyed writing them.

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Inspired from an early age by the books of Enid Blyton, the author of ‘Love Letters‘ and ‘Chocolicious‘, Geraldine Solon, always knew that it would only ever be through her writing that she would find true solace and a release for her wild imagination and love of story-telling.Prior to writing her two previous, best-selling, women’s fiction novels, Geraldine had already written and self published three books for children; together with, ‘Odes, Insights And Stories For All Seasons’, a mix of poetry, articles and stories, that leads the reader on an emotional and spiritual journey through her own life experiences.‘The Assignment‘ is Geraldine’s third novel in the women’s fiction genre, with her debut novel ‘Love Letters’, having already been optioned for film.Geraldine moved from her birthplace in the Philippines, in 2001 and now lives in the San Francisco Bay area USA, with her husband and family.

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Hi Geraldine, I would like to welcome you to Fiction Books and thank you for agreeing to this interview. I would like you to know just how much I have enjoyed talking with you over the last few months and what a great experience and privilege it has been to read and review your books.

QBefore we discuss ‘The Assignment’, could we please have an update on the fantastic news that your debut novel ‘Love Letters’, has been optioned for film and that indeed, filming is well underway. Do you have an anticipated timeline for the films release? You must be so excited!

They are still filming the movie and the director anticipates the film to be completed by early next year.

QYou seem to be heavily involved with the California Writers Club and I was wondering just how much encouragement and confidence you received from belonging to such a strong support and networking group, when you first started out on your career. Is joining such an organisation a route which you would recommend to any new or aspiring author?

Being a member of the club is the best opportunity for an aspiring writer. You get to meet other writers like you, who you can network with. You have the chance to learn from the speakers and participate in events. After I joined the club, it boosted my confidence as a writer and helped me a lot with my book promotions. After gaining success, I was compelled to give back, by organizing events where fellow writers can learn, grow in their career, network and have fun.

QI have come across some real horror stories, of publishers who deny their authors the right to choose the title and cover art for their books, has this been a problem which you have ever encountered? (I am thinking here, of the fabulous cover art and title of ‘Chocolicious’, your second book)

Since I was published through a mid-sized press, I was able to choose the type of cover and title for my books.

QFollowing on from that last question, I see that you have opted for the independent publishing option for ‘The Assignment’. How have you found the experience and is this an option that you would recommend that any new author should use right away, or are there tangible benefits for a fledgling author in having the backing of a traditional publishing house, until they become more established and experienced?

Since I have already built my brand and have gained followers from my previous books, I decided to self-publish ‘The Assignment’. This is the best time to be an author and you have more options to choose from today, than a decade ago. My advice for a new writer, is to know your market and reach out to your readers. Whether you publish traditionally or decide to go the Indie route, you will need to promote your books and build a brand. In other words, learn how to be an ‘Authorpreneur’.

QThe location for ‘The Assignment’, is your home country of The Philippines and I was wondering why you chose to wait until so far into your writing career, before featuring your beautiful homeland and its friendly people in one of your stories?

I actually wrote more than a hundred pages of ‘The Assignment’ before writing my second novel, ‘Chocolicious’, but I encountered writer’s block. After completing ‘Chocolicious’, I went back to ‘The Assignment’ with fresh eyes and realized that I needed to change the gender of one of my main characters. Marina Saurez started out as a man – Manolo Saurez, but all the female hormones started screaming at me and the minute I changed the gender, everything fell into place. The story unfolded so well, that I left it to the characters to lead me in the right direction.

QGiven the added emotional elements, connected to the Battle of Bataan, which were represented in ‘The Assignment’, did you find this story more difficult to write than your previous books?

Yes, I would say that it was more difficult compared to my two other books. For one, I had to do a lot of research for this book and I also spoke to friends who had families that were casualties of the war. I wanted to make sure that I not only featured the historical aspect of that era, but also captured the intense emotions that were present during that time. Since ‘The Assignment’ contains a sub-plot of Marina Saurez’s life, I had to balance and make sure I wove Sophie and Marina’s story together well. I wrote Marina’s story first then added Sophie’s after, I then divided the finished thing into different chapters, making sure that their stories followed a chronological order.

QDid you research all the material for ‘The Assignment’ from your San Francisco base, or did you travel ‘home’, to try and recapture the essence of the Filipino spirit and love of life, before starting out on, or during production of the book?

I did all my research and wrote the book from San Francisco. However, I spent twenty nine years in The Philippines and do visit my country every now and then, so the Filipino spirit and love of life, is embedded in my memory. I also visited again just last August, to sign a contract with a Philippine producer/director, who will be adapting the novel into a film. We will begin filming next year and I am very excited about this project.

QIs there any part of the story, which cameo’s part of Geraldine Solon’s family heritage, or is this purely a work of fiction?

I would say this novel is very close to my heart, because I added bits and pieces that represent my experiences from growing up in the Philippines. It was also very emotional to write a tragic story, but I have to say that this is my favourite book and I never grow tired of reading it.

QIs there any message which you would like readers to take away after reading ‘The Assignment, and can you sum up in just a couple of sentences, how you would like the book to be remembered?

The themes of this novel are love, loss, betrayal and fogiveness. In a nutshell, it’s a powerful love story combined with tragedies. Circumstances required my characters who love each other, to be apart as a result of the choices they were forced to make.

Geraldine, thank you so much for stopping by and agreeing to talk to myself and the readers of Fiction Books Blog. I realise that I am probably only the last in a long line of interviewers vying for your time. The questions we all ask, are probably by their very nature, often repetitive and I would like to say that I appreciate your patience and understanding, if this is indeed the case.

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Yvonne. I enjoyed chatting with you. More power to you and your blog.

Geraldine is a great conversationalist and is never short of something to say, so an interview with her is a dream and so stress free!

Anyone who manages to get publishing rites on two out of three novels, has no need to feel nervous about getting the word out there at any and every given opportunity and I am only pleased to have been involved in my own small way, by reviewing her books right from the start.

‘Chocolicious’ is a great book and that cover is to die for, isn’t it? I am only grateful that my review copy was electronic, I don’t think I could have stood to have the physical book sat there looking at me for days on end without drooling all over it!

Thanks for the visit and comments, it is always good to have you stop by and I hope that you haven’t been affected too badly by the recent bad weather. It has been quite scary in some places down here in Somerset, although thankfully not too close to where we live.

What an interesting interview. I like the term ‘Authorpreneur’ 🙂 That’s nice that they have writers clubs, it sounds like it opens the doors to some great opportunities. The books sound good and congrats to the author on her movie deal!
The cover on Chocolicious is yummy looking.

‘Authorpreneur’ and ‘Authorpreneurship’, are definitely officially recognised words these days, although I did have to check them out because I wasn’t sure. As new words go, I have to admit that they sound quite classy, don’t they?

I have come across quite a few authors who have kick-started their careers and gained some fantastic support and encouragement from writers’ clubs around the world. I guess it is good to know that you are not on your own out there, in the minefield or writing and publishing, although personally, I am not too sure that I would have the confidence to share my ideas with so many other people!

Geraldine seems to grow in confidence and her writing increases in its maturity and complexity, each time she contacts me with a new book release and I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to read and review her work over the past few months.

Thanks for stopping by and as ever, for leaving such great comments, I always appreciate it. Have a great weekend.

Geraldine seems to be taking it all in her stride, so let’s just hope that the finished movie does the book the justice it deserves.

I must admit to some amazement that ‘The Assignment’ has also been optioned for film quite so quickly after publication. I just hope that it is going to be filmed on location in The Phlippines, as the scenery should be a stunning backdrop to what is sure to be an emotional storyline.

Thank you for stopping by and for your thoughtful comments, it is always appreciated.

First Lines

Dartmoor, England, 3 Months Earlier The odor of waterlogged peat filled the air. Lucius Sofistere drew his coat tight, his eyes roving the mist-enshrouded worksite as the geologists labored to extract a tarnished silver container buried deep beneath the fen. The moors were different at night. The silence, unnerving during the day, became deafening after […]

Random Quote

If there is any advice I can offer a new writer reading this, it is – do not give into despair and self doubt, find your own voice, stay away from cheap cider, don’t take yourself too seriously, revise and polish your work until your eyes bleed and if you do all these things then maybe, just maybe, Lady Luck will give you a helping hand.